Chapter 71: Acceptance

Inside the carriage, Akane sat with a composed posture, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside as the White Flower Palace faded into the distance.

On the surface, she looked unbothered.

The ordeal was over.

She would return to her palace, focus on her ambitions, and, most importantly—

She would deal with these growing feelings in due time.

No rush.

No problem.

Or so she thought.

Across from her, Emi sat in silent observation.

Her mistress had been acting normal—too normal.

But as a head maid, Emi knew better.

She carefully reached into her robes and retrieved a small, wrapped package.

"This," Emi said, "is from Rin."

Akane's gaze flickered to the package, but her expression remained neutral.

"He asked me to give it to you."

Without a word, Akane took the package, unwrapping it with careful fingers.

Inside was a letter, a book, and—

A white hairpin.

The craftsmanship was exquisite, the material delicate yet sturdy, with a faint glow of an engraved protective charm.

Akane blinked.

She unfolded the letter.

Her calm demeanor wavered.

Rin had written multiple paragraphs of gratitude, thanking her again and again for helping him through this ordeal.

Along with it, he had enclosed a small book detailing the Hoshimi Imperial Family's secrets and political dangers, another gesture of thanks.

And then—

"I thought this hairpin might suit you. It's enchanted with a protection charm—since you're not suited for combat, it should help."

A pause.

"Thank you, Akane."

Akane stared at the letter, rereading that last part several times.

Then—

A faint flush crept up her cheeks.

Emi watched it happen.

Her mistress's usual calm expression was slowly crumbling, the slight pink hue deepening the more she stared at Rin's words.

Emi inwardly panicked.

This was bad.

Yesterday, Akane had been fine.

Yesterday, she had been too calm.

But now?

Now, she was blushing.

Emi's mind raced.

Had something happened yesterday that finally made Akane realize it?

Her mistress had always been calculating, treating Rin as a means to an end.

But now—

Now, Emi could see it.

Akane had realized.

And once Shinegori Akane realizes something—

There is no going back.

Akane carefully folded the letter and tucked it away into her sleeve.

With a composed smile, she turned to Emi.

"Keep the hairpin and the book safe," she instructed smoothly.

Emi, still reeling from the shift in her mistress's behavior, nodded. "Yes, My Lady."

Then—

A question.

"Emi," Akane mused, watching the passing scenery outside, "How does a manipulative person win the heart of someone?"

Emi's entire body stiffened.

She gripped her robes tightly, choosing her words carefully.

"…Perhaps by becoming indispensable to him?" she finally answered.

Akane let out a small, pleased chuckle.

"That sounds right."

Emi swallowed.

She was terrified.

Her mistress was happy.

Too happy.

That was never a good sign.

Akane tapped her finger against her chin, deep in thought.

Right now, she was the only consort who could approach Rin without him outright avoiding her.

Unlike the other three, who constantly pushed and chased, Akane and Rin had already established a mutual relationship.

A foundation.

The other consorts overreached.

She wouldn't.

She would move slowly, carefully, subtly.

She wouldn't need to chase Rin.

Instead—

She would make it so Rin naturally gravitated toward her.

He wouldn't even realize it.

A small, victorious smile graced her lips as she gazed out the carriage window.

The game had begun.

Akane leaned back against the soft cushions of the carriage, her fingers lightly tapping against the wooden armrest as her thoughts turned to the future.

Rin was the Second Imperial Prince.

He had no enemies in the palace—no faction working against him, no bitter rivalries that could prevent his return.

That meant one thing.

If he ever decided to claim his rightful place…

He would become the Crown Prince.

And if that happened—

She would become his fiancée.

Akane's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.

It wasn't set in stone.

Rin had made it clear that he had no desire for the throne. But desires can change.

And when they did, Akane would be there.

The only problem?

The three consorts.

Suzuki.

Rei.

Miharu.

They all liked him—obsessively so.

They were aggressive, openly chasing him, throwing themselves at him, desperate for even a sliver of his attention.

But they didn't know.

Not about his true identity.

Not about the fact that if Rin ever became Crown Prince, they would be powerless.

Not about the fact that Akane was already several steps ahead of them.

She was the only one who had this critical piece of information.

And knowledge was power.

If she positioned herself correctly, if she became the one indispensable person in Rin's life…

Then, when the time came, Rin would naturally rely on her more than the others.

More than anyone.

Akane allowed herself a small, victorious smirk.

All she needed to do…

Was plant the idea.

Slowly. Subtly. Carefully.

Rin was sharp. If she pushed too hard, he would notice.

But if she played her role perfectly—if she remained his trusted partner, his closest ally, the one person who understood him best…

Then when the moment arrived—

He wouldn't even question it.

He would choose her.

And the others?

They would be too late.

Emi studied her mistress carefully.

Akane's eyes were sharp, her expression unreadable, but there was a certain determination in her features that Emi recognized all too well.

She had seen that look before—whenever Akane set her sights on something she wanted.

And now, that something was clearly Rin.

Emi sighed internally.

This was trouble.

Rin was already dealing with three relentless consorts who were chasing after him like hungry wolves.

Now Akane, the most manipulative of them all, had finally come to terms with her feelings.

This was not going to end well.

For Rin.

Emi prayed for his soul.

Still—

As Akane's loyal maid, Emi would support her mistress no matter what.

She just hoped, truly hoped, that Akane wouldn't end up like the other three.

Consumed by obsession.

Blinded by love.

Akane was smarter than that.

But love had a way of making even the most cunning people act irrationally.

Emi could only watch and hope that her mistress would stay herself.

The air inside the chamber was heavy with the scent of aged wood and medicinal herbs.

Rin sat beside the White Elder, his sharp black eyes watching every movement of the frail old man. Beside him, Harumi quietly soaked a fresh cloth in warm water, preparing to wipe the Elder's face.

The White Elder grinned at them, as if nothing was wrong.

But Rin knew better.

The man who once stood taller than mountains, a pillar of wisdom and strength, was now withering.

His life was fading.

And yet, he never showed it.

"Well then," the White Elder chuckled, breaking the silence. His voice was still warm, still full of mischief despite his weakness. "Tell me, my dear apprentices… What will you do when the time comes to leave this place?"

Harumi, without hesitation, answered first.

"I suppose I'll return home," she said, her voice calm but distant. "I haven't seen my family in years. Maybe I'll find some use for my skills there."

The White Elder nodded, turning to Rin.

"And you, boy?"

Rin leaned back, crossing his arms.

"Maybe I'll travel," he said. "See the Empire, get into trouble, get out of trouble, and find some way to live."

The Elder's eyes twinkled with something unreadable.

"You two will grow," he said, his voice softer this time. "You must. Until that day comes… you must keep moving forward."

His gaze lingered on both of them.

As if he saw something.

Something neither of them could understand yet.

Rin tilted his head.

"Of course we'll grow. It's only natural."

Harumi said nothing.

Instead, she handed him a fresh cloth.

"Help me," she said simply.

Rin took it, not questioning her.

And in that quiet moment, as the two of them cared for their master, the weight of the future pressed upon them.

The White Elder had already accepted his fate.

But Rin and Harumi…

Their journey was only beginning.

As Rin and Harumi finished their duties, the White Flower Palace had never felt so peaceful.

The reconstruction team had moved to another area, leaving behind an air of stillness. Without the usual noise of workers, the days had become simple—cleaning, serving orders, and training whenever time allowed.

But without chaos, time dragged on.

"Too quiet," Harumi muttered as she stretched her arms.

Rin, walking beside her, let out a small chuckle.

"You always complain when things are hectic, and now you complain when things are quiet. Make up your mind."

Harumi rolled her eyes. "I never complain. I just comment."

Rin snorted. "Right, and I'm the Emperor."

She nudged him with her elbow but didn't argue. The two walked a little longer, the moonlight stretching their shadows across the stone path.

Eventually, Harumi sighed.

"I think I'll turn in early," she said, rubbing her eyes. "It's been a while since I had the luxury of sleeping in a quiet palace. I'd rather take advantage of it while I can."

Rin raised a brow.

"You, sleeping early? Who are you, and what have you done with Harumi?"

Harumi gave him a dry look. "Shut up."

He smirked but didn't press further.

As she turned toward the servant quarters, she glanced over her shoulder.

"Don't stay up too late," she said. "Even you need sleep."

Rin just waved her off.

With that, Harumi disappeared into the quiet halls, leaving Rin alone.

But he didn't feel like sleeping.

Instead, he wandered.

His feet eventually carried him to the top of the White Flower Palace gate, where he perched himself on the edge. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin as he pulled out a piece of dried meat and took a bite.

The night was calm.

Or at least, it was.

Because then—**without a sound—**someone sat down beside him.

Rin didn't flinch.

Black robes. Regal presence. A quiet but unmistakable power.

Even before she fully revealed herself, he already knew.

Black Empress Hoshimi Minako.

His stepmother.

Her shadow magic dissipated as she allowed herself to be seen.

And for a moment, the two of them simply sat there.

Under the same moon.

Under the same sky.

Saying nothing.

Minako's gaze softened as she looked at Rin. It had been years since she last saw him up close like this, yet it felt like he had never truly left.

"You seem well," she said, a small smirk playing at her lips.

Rin, still chewing on his dried meat, glanced at her.

"I'm alive. That counts as something, right?"

Minako chuckled, shaking her head. "Alive and stubborn as ever."

She crossed her legs, hands resting on her lap as she studied him. "The Imperial Capital is in ruins. Half of it destroyed. The Imperial Family is struggling."

Rin sighed. He had already heard about it from passing officials.

"I'm not surprised," he admitted. "Reconstruction is always a mess. The officials must be panicking."

Minako narrowed her eyes. "You could come back, you know. Help out."

But Rin's answer was immediate.

"No."

Minako's brows lifted slightly, but she wasn't surprised.

Rin leaned back against the cold stone of the gate, his dark eyes watching the stars.

"My leave was necessary. It still is," he murmured. "Kazuo is the Crown Prince. And that's how it should be."

Minako sighed. "You think too highly of your brother."

"He is capable," Rin countered.

"That's not the problem," Minako said. "The problem is that he doesn't want to be."

Rin's fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the gate. He didn't respond immediately, because he knew—Minako wasn't wrong.

Kazuo had always been the responsible one. The steady one. But lately…

He was fading.

"He doesn't see color," Minako continued, her voice quiet. "He doesn't react. Doesn't feel. It's like he's standing at the top of an empire he doesn't want to rule."

"He'll be fine," Rin said after a pause. "Kazuo will make the Hoshimi Empire better."

Minako watched him for a long moment.

Then she laughed.

"Yeah, sure," she mused. "Like the four consorts who like you instead?"

Rin visibly twitched.

"So you know."

Minako smirked. "I wouldn't be in charge of information if I didn't."

Rin exhaled through his nose. He should have expected it. If anyone in the Imperial Family was capable of uncovering secrets, it was her.

She turned back to the stars, voice calm yet amused. "For now, only the Four Empresses know. But if Emperor Masaki finds out?"

Rin closed his eyes.

"My father will have a headache."

Minako laughed again. "Oh, you have no idea."

Minako handed Rin a sealed decree, the Imperial Crest of the Hoshimi Family pressed in gold wax.

Rin exhaled through his nose before even opening it. He already had a bad feeling.

"Another headache?" he muttered.

Minako smirked. "You'll see."

Rin broke the seal and read the decree carefully. His brows furrowed.

"So Izumi and Aya are going to visit an ally country and I am to be their escort?," he murmured. His gaze flickered up to Minako.

"Yes, since they missed their brother so much we can't refuse them... They have been wanting to see you for a while..."

Rin sighed deeply. " Considering the current lack of man power, you basically want me to protect them while they are doing their business there..."

Minako shrugged. "The Imperial Princesses need protection, and since you refuse to take back your rightful status, it's only fair that you act as a capable sword for them."

Rin clicked his tongue. He knew there was no way out of this.

"And while you're at it," Minako continued, her voice turning just a little softer, "spend some time with Izumi and Aya. They miss you."

Rin blinked. He hadn't seen his half-sisters in a long time.

He sighed, rolling the decree shut. "They're probably causing trouble, aren't they?"

Minako laughed. "Oh, constantly. But in public? They act like perfect Imperial Princesses."

Rin leaned back, staring at the stars again.

"...Fine."

"Good." Minako stood, dusting off her robes.

Rin looked down at the decree. "I'll need to tell the White Elder before I leave."

Minako nodded. "Of course. But don't take too long, Rin. The Hoshimi Empire is moving forward, whether you like it or not."

With that, she vanished into the shadows once more, leaving Rin alone on the gate, decree in hand, another storm brewing on the horizon.

Rin entered his small, neatly arranged room and immediately collapsed onto his bed with a long sigh.

"Just when I thought things were finally quiet..." he muttered, staring at the ceiling.

The Four Consorts had finally left, and he had hoped for at least a few weeks of peace. But no. Fate had other plans.

He turned his head and glanced at the Imperial Decree on his desk. The wax seal was broken, but its presence alone still felt suffocating.

"So I have to see them again," Rin murmured. His brows twitched in irritation.

Suzuki, Rei, Miharu, Akane... He had barely managed to survive dealing with them before, and now he was expected to evaluate them? And under official Imperial Orders, no less.

Still... Izumi and Aya, huh?

His little sisters. Born only a month apart. One was the daughter of the Vermillion Empress, the other of the Black Empress.

They were loud, energetic, and impossible to deal with. But no matter how annoying they were, Rin could never get mad at them.

He chuckled slightly, remembering how they used to cling to him when they were younger, begging him for stories or sparring matches.

It had been a long time since he'd last seen them. Had they changed?

"Hopefully, this mission won't be too difficult..." Rin muttered, rubbing his temples.

Rin sighed again, turning onto his side.

"Well… no use thinking too much about it now," he mumbled.

Tomorrow, a new storm would begin.